episode_0154

Chapter 6 Episode 10 – Search for the Virgin Mary 1

“Archbishop Gromwell is said to be a key figure leading the reformist faction within the Church of the Virgin Mary. The reformists… . So, it is a faction that wants to fix the corrupt Holy Mother Church. Most bishops belong to the conservative faction that wants to maintain the status quo, so they don’t seem to have much power.”

Veronica is lying on the bed in her dorm, hugging a doll the size of my body that she bought as a souvenir. She was reciting information about Archbishop Gromwell that she had found out through the Banshee Network.

“Hmm… . Reformation in the rotten Virgin Mary Church. Is that why you asked Gromwell?”

Gromwell’s business card received at a meal with Philia. The business card had a small phrase written on it: ‘The Virgin Mary is looking for you.’

No matter how corrupt the Church of the Virgin Mary is, the name of the Virgin Mary cannot be used carelessly. In other words, it is very likely that Maria asked Gromwell directly to find me.

‘I don’t know what the exact relationship is, but Gromwell probably doesn’t know anything about me, so he probably asked Raphael, who knows a little about me.’

The reason Raphael asked Philia for it was probably because he judged that he, who was in charge of auditing the management bureau, could not visit the management bureau for personal reasons.

Or maybe it was just annoying so I hit it in my spare time.

“What is the whereabouts of Priest Joachim?”

“Um… . ah! They said they sent an immolation to a few suspicious places. The results will come out by tomorrow.”

Since it was late, it would probably be possible to visit St. Mary’s Church only around tomorrow. If the whereabouts of Priest Joachim also come out tomorrow… .

‘Where should we go first?’

Archbishop Gromwell’s invitation is relatively certain. Even though he can be corrupted like other old school bishops, he is a faithful person who dares to fight against the old school bishops, so the possibility of impersonating the Virgin Mary is low.

Priest Joachim, on the other hand, is uncertain. There is no guarantee that he will tell us where Maria is, and we cannot be sure whether the place the banshee found is actually Joachim’s residence.

If you only look at the same result of reaching Maria anyway, it is generally reasonable to choose a sure means. However, in my case, since I have to consider the retry as well, I usually choose to erase the uncertain side first.

“Good. Let’s go see priest Joachim tomorrow.”

*

*

“What is the situation?”

“It is progressing smoothly. In particular, the Crusaders are showing absolute support thanks to the miracle, and Raphael has also promised to join our cause.”

dark room. Archbishop Gromwell was bowing his head to show respect to the woman in the dark.

Only the moonlight shining through the slightly open window illuminated her softly, revealing part of her beautiful face, and her amber-colored hair was blowing in the gentle breeze.

“Good. So now there is only one person left. If He is with us… . This world will finally be saved.”

The woman spoke with a dreamy expression. I didn’t know if it was because she was close to achieving her long-held dream, or because she was looking forward to meeting ‘him’.

“I sent an invitation to that man. I heard that I am in the capital, so I will visit soon.”

A woman with a small smile and golden eyes shining, as if she liked Gromwell’s work.

“Thank you. Archbishop Gromwell. Your dedication will definitely be rewarded.”

“I didn’t do this hoping for something in return. I’m just doing my duty as a believer”

“Then, since it is my duty to bestow the Lord’s grace on the faithful, I will also fulfill my duty. I hope that Archbishop Gromwell will take over the position of patriarch of the newly born Church of the Virgin Mary.”

The Patriarch is the leader of the Church of the Virgin Mary who is elected from among the archbishops. As he is the leader of the Church of the Virgin Mary, the largest religious organization in the empire, the position of patriarch holds considerable status.

“Thank you. We will do our best to live up to your expectations.”

Therefore, for Gromwell, there was no greater reward than this, and it was the best opportunity to fulfill the ambition he had developed among the corrupt archbishops.

“It’s late. Let’s end here today.”

At the woman’s words to conclude the meeting, Gromwell got up from his bowed position. Because he was quite tall, he ended up looking down at the woman sitting on the chair, but she didn’t care.

“Archbishop Gromwell, thank you for your hard work. Well then, I hope you have a peaceful night.”

“Yes. Have a peaceful night… . Our Lady.”

Gromwell slightly bowed his head and left the dark room.

*

*

“Aaaah! Veronica!!”

“Now, wait a minute! I’m suffocating!”

We arrived at the northern outskirts where Priest Joachim is believed to be. The Banshee’s clone came out to meet Veronica and hugged her with all his might.

Is this because clones other than Banshees never see their bodies in person except when they are first created? The alter ego was very excited, like a Sasaeng fan meeting an idol.

The alter ego regained its composure only after enjoying the original body for a long time.

“Hello, Director. I am… . Please just call me Helen. Because that would be convenient.”

He introduced himself with the already familiar name of Helen and began his explanation.

“This orphanage is sponsored every year by St. Mary’s Church. I was suspicious because it was a fairly large amount of money for a small orphanage. In addition, considering the fact that the director was a priest and his history within St. Mary’s Church, he was the most influential.”

“I found it surprisingly easily.”

“Um… . It wasn’t easy. If it weren’t for Bir, getting the ledger would have been a problem. Additionally, going through ledgers and conducting background investigations on each sponsor would have been impossible without our information network.”

Well, Birr is a top-notch assassin who can cleanly deal with even a country’s minister-level personnel without any hesitation, as long as he gives an order. In addition, Banshee also built the best information network in the empire based on the overwhelming amount of clones.

No matter how much of a Catholic church it is, it is impossible to hide something from these two.

“The only thing left is to persuade.”

“Yes. I have some information that may be helpful in persuading you, so I’ll let you know.”

When I pressed the bell on the front door of the orphanage, a familiar ringtone that could be heard anywhere rang. After waiting for a while, a middle-aged man came out and greeted us.

“Nice to meet you. What brought you to our daycare center?”

The man’s gaze passed by me in front of him, passed by Leon waiting behind him, and then dropped down to Veronica.

“Oh, maybe… . Are you here to leave the child?”

The man’s voice quietened as soon as he saw Veronica. It seems like he’s trying to hide it as best as he can, but the smile on his face has become quite awkward.

“Oh, I’m not a child!”

Veronica, who noticed that he was treating her like an abandoned child, gave her a habitual tackle.

“Even though he looks like that, he is still an adult.”

“It’s up to you!? What does that mean!”

Veronica became even angrier at the additional explanation I added, and the man began to become even more confused.

“Our daycare center does not accept adults.”

“I’m not leaving it to you!”

It’s fun to tease Veronica, but I had to get to the point, so I’ll end it here.

“We are looking for Priest Joachim. Is it here?”

When people hear an unexpected question, a momentary gap appears in their thinking. I call this gap the gap of truth, because even those with natural talent for acting still have a truthful reaction at this moment.

“I think you came to the wrong place. This is an orphanage, not a church.”

The man in front of me tilted his head as if he had no idea. However, immediately after hearing my question, he appeared agitated for a brief moment. This was the kind of reaction that couldn’t have come out if you really didn’t know.

“I would like to meet with the director, is it possible?”

“I am the director.”

“Then you must be Priest Joachim.”

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

“I came here knowing everything, so there is no use in acting like a fool.”

“If you keep doing this, I will call the police.”

It was I who put a straight face into the ensuing battle of nerves.

“The Virgin Mary told me to visit her.”

A man whose eyes are wide open. This is confirmed. This man is Priest Joachim.

“……Using the Virgin Mary’s name carelessly is unacceptable.”

Joachim acted like an angry Virgin Mary member, but in reality, it was fake anger to hide the prolonged silence due to embarrassment.

“Was it all a lie that the Virgin Mary’s revelations could come to anyone? Or the Virgin Mary doesn’t exist in the first place… .”

“It exists!”

Joachim shouted in anger for a moment and later realized his mistake, but it was already too late.

“……Who are you? For what purpose did you come to me?”

Joachim sighed and asked with a feeling of despair.

“Even if I tell you who I am, you won’t know. However, I can tell you the purpose of coming there. However, it’s not worth standing like this and talking, so can I go inside?”

He had a doubtful expression on his face and had no choice but to lead me into the orphanage.